Today's Charlottesville Daily Progress publishes the editorial, "A matter of life, death sentences."
Once the death penalty has been implemented, it is tragically too late to discover a flaw in the verdict.
That’s why Virginia must make sure that evidence-gathering and prosecution are impeccably accurate and fair — in all cases, of course, but especially in death penalty cases.
As we’ve already pointed out, many Virginia law enforcement agencies have failed to voluntarily adopt best practices when conducting lineups and gathering eyewitness evidence (“Improving eyewitness evidence,” The Daily Progress, Aug. 29). As a result, evidence collection could be flawed and verdicts could be wrong.
Now comes a report citing eyewitness evidence and other potential problems in death penalty cases, where accuracy, prudence and fair practices are especially vital.
The American Bar Association’s Death Penalty Assessment Project lists improved eyewitness evidence protocols as a top priority. The assessment team was made up of prominent and respected experts knowledgeable about Virginia law.
The ABA Virginia Assessment on the Death Penalty is available at the link. You can also get more information on the ABA's Death Penalty Due Process Project and view other state assessments.
Earlier coverage of the Virginia report begins at the link.
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